Patents by Inventor Federico Guanziroli

Federico Guanziroli has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10118819
    Abstract: A system for driving a MEMS array having a number of MEMS structures, each defining at least one row terminal and one column terminal, envisages: a number of row driving stages, each for supplying row-biasing signals to the row terminal of each MEMS structure associated to a respective row; a number of column driving stages, each for supplying column-biasing signals to the column terminal of each MEMS structure associated to a respective column; and a control unit, for supplying row-address signals to the row driving stages for generation of the row-biasing signals and for supplying column-address signals to the column driving stages for generation of the column-biasing signals. The control unit further supplies row-deactivation and/or column-deactivation signals to one or more of the row and column driving stages, for causing deactivation of one or more rows and/or columns of the MEMS array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Alberto Cattani, Alessandro Gasparini, Federico Guanziroli, Pierangelo Confalonieri
  • Patent number: 10103734
    Abstract: A level shifter circuit includes: an input stage for receiving an input signal switchable between a first and a second input level and an output stage to produce a drive signal for the load that is switchable between a first and a second output level. A level translator translates the input signal switching between the input levels into the output stage switching between the output levels. A feedback element coupled to the output stage transfers to the input stage a feedback signal representative of the output level of the output stage. The input stage includes control circuitry sensitive to the input signal and the feedback signal for detecting undesired switching of the output stage between the first and second output levels occurring in the absence of input signal switching between the first and second input levels. The control circuitry inverts the output level of the output stage resulting from undesired switching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Dario Bianchi, Federico Guanziroli, Davide Ugo Ghisu
  • Patent number: 10033352
    Abstract: A phase shifter, which carries out a ninety-degree phase shift of a sinusoidal input signal having an input frequency, at the same input frequency, envisages: a continuous-time all-pass filter stage, which receives the sinusoidal input signal and generates an output signal phase-shifted by 90° at a phase-shift frequency that is a function of a RC time constant of the all-pass filter stage; and a calibration stage, which is coupled to the all-pass filter stage and generates a calibration signal for the all-pass filter stage, such that the phase-shift frequency is equal to the input frequency of the sinusoidal input signal, irrespective of variations of the value of the input frequency and/or of the RC time constant with respect to a nominal value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Germano Nicollini, Roberto Modaffari, Marco Garbarino, Federico Guanziroli
  • Publication number: 20170149434
    Abstract: A level shifter circuit includes: an input stage for receiving an input signal switchable between a first and a second input level and an output stage to produce a drive signal for the load that is switchable between a first and a second output level. A level translator translates the input signal switching between the input levels into the output stage switching between the output levels. A feedback element coupled to the output stage transfers to the input stage a feedback signal representative of the output level of the output stage. The input stage includes control circuitry sensitive to the input signal and the feedback signal for detecting undesired switching of the output stage between the first and second output levels occurring in the absence of input signal switching between the first and second input levels. The control circuitry inverts the output level of the output stage resulting from undesired switching.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Dario Bianchi, Federico Guanziroli, Davide Ugo Ghisu
  • Publication number: 20170129773
    Abstract: A system for driving a MEMS array having a number of MEMS structures, each defining at least one row terminal and one column terminal, envisages: a number of row driving stages, each for supplying row-biasing signals to the row terminal of each MEMS structure associated to a respective row; a number of column driving stages, each for supplying column-biasing signals to the column terminal of each MEMS structure associated to a respective column; and a control unit, for supplying row-address signals to the row driving stages for generation of the row-biasing signals and for supplying column-address signals to the column driving stages for generation of the column-biasing signals. The control unit further supplies row-deactivation and/or column-deactivation signals to one or more of the row and column driving stages, for causing deactivation of one or more rows and/or columns of the MEMS array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Alberto CATTANI, Alessandro GASPARINI, Federico GUANZIROLI, Pierangelo CONFALONIERI
  • Patent number: 9604842
    Abstract: A system for driving a MEMS array having a number of MEMS structures, each defining at least one row terminal and one column terminal, envisages: a number of row driving stages, each for supplying row-biasing signals to the row terminal of each MEMS structure associated to a respective row; a number of column driving stages, each for supplying column-biasing signals to the column terminal of each MEMS structure associated to a respective column; and a control unit, for supplying row-address signals to the row driving stages for generation of the row-biasing signals and for supplying column-address signals to the column driving stages for generation of the column-biasing signals. The control unit further supplies row-deactivation and/or column-deactivation signals to one or more of the row and column driving stages, for causing deactivation of one or more rows and/or columns of the MEMS array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Alberto Cattani, Alessandro Gasparini, Federico Guanziroli, Pierangelo Confalonieri
  • Patent number: 9553546
    Abstract: A differential output stage of an amplification device, for driving a load, comprises a first and a second differential output stage portion. The first differential output stage portion comprises: a first and a second output circuit; a first driving circuit comprising a first biasing circuit; a second driving circuit comprising a second biasing circuit. The first differential output stage portion comprises: a third output circuit connected between a first node of said first biasing circuit and a first differential output terminal, having a third driving terminal connected to a first driving terminal; a fourth output circuit connected between a first node of the second biasing circuit and the first differential output terminal, having a fourth driving terminal connected to a second driving terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: OPTIS CIRCUIT TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Pierangelo Confalonieri, Federico Guanziroli, Germano Nicollini
  • Publication number: 20170019087
    Abstract: A phase shifter, which carries out a ninety-degree phase shift of a sinusoidal input signal having an input frequency, at the same input frequency, envisages: a continuous-time all-pass filter stage, which receives the sinusoidal input signal and generates an output signal phase-shifted by 90° at a phase-shift frequency that is a function of a RC time constant of the all-pass filter stage; and a calibration stage, which is coupled to the all-pass filter stage and generates a calibration signal for the all-pass filter stage, such that the phase-shift frequency is equal to the input frequency of the sinusoidal input signal, irrespective of variations of the value of the input frequency and/or of the RC time constant with respect to a nominal value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Germano Nicollini, Roberto Modaffari, Marco Garbarino, Federico Guanziroli
  • Patent number: 9287874
    Abstract: A voltage level shifting device for driving a capacitive load has an input terminal for receiving a first input signal switchable between a first logic state corresponding to a first reference voltage and a second logic state corresponding to a second reference voltage, and an output terminal for supplying an output signal switchable between a first logic state corresponding to a third reference voltage and a second logic state corresponding to a fourth reference voltage. The device also has a first electronic circuit that is activated following a commutation of the first input signal from the first reference voltage to the second reference voltage for fixing the output terminal to the fourth reference voltage. The device further has a second electronic circuit that is activated following a commutation of the first input signal from the second reference voltage to the first reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: ST-ERICSSON SA
    Inventors: Pierangelo Confalonieri, Federico Guanziroli
  • Patent number: 9264060
    Abstract: A new approach is disclosed concerning offset cancellation methods in analog to digital converters and analog to digital converters implementing the same. Such approach allows to efficiently cancel offset drifts in analog to digital converters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: ST-ERICSSON SA
    Inventors: Pierangelo Confalonieri, Federico Guanziroli, Alberto Minuti
  • Patent number: 9237406
    Abstract: An integrated circuit for processing audio and voice signals in a telephone is disclosed. The integrated circuit comprises an audio output port having a first and a second output terminal for connection to a first and a second input terminal, respectively, of a speaker. The integrated circuit further comprises an audio input port having a first and a second input terminal for connection to a first and a second output terminal of an audio input source. The integrated circuit also comprises at least one audio output path and one audio input path. Moreover, the integrated circuit comprises a test impedance, such as a resistor, (RT) for measuring an electrical impedance of the speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: ST-ERICSSON SA
    Inventors: Federico Guanziroli, Sergio Pernici, Robert Nilsson, Jan R. E. Thimansson
  • Publication number: 20150372680
    Abstract: A voltage level shifting device for driving a capacitive load has an input terminal for receiving a first input signal switchable between a first logic state corresponding to a first reference voltage and a second logic state corresponding to a second reference voltage, and an output terminal for supplying an output signal switchable between a first logic state corresponding to a third reference voltage and a second logic state corresponding to a fourth reference voltage. The device also has a first electronic circuit that is activated following a commutation of the first input signal from the first reference voltage to the second reference voltage for fixing the output terminal to the fourth reference voltage. The device further has a second electronic circuit that is activated following a commutation of the first input signal from the second reference voltage to the first reference voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Pierangelo CONFALONIERI, Federico GUANZIROLI
  • Publication number: 20150344295
    Abstract: A system for driving a MEMS array having a number of MEMS structures, each defining at least one row terminal and one column terminal, envisages: a number of row driving stages, each for supplying row-biasing signals to the row terminal of each MEMS structure associated to a respective row; a number of column driving stages, each for supplying column-biasing signals to the column terminal of each MEMS structure associated to a respective column; and a control unit, for supplying row-address signals to the row driving stages for generation of the row-biasing signals and for supplying column-address signals to the column driving stages for generation of the column-biasing signals. The control unit further supplies row-deactivation and/or column-deactivation signals to one or more of the row and column driving stages, for causing deactivation of one or more rows and/or columns of the MEMS array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Alberto CATTANI, Alessandro GASPARINI, Federico GUANZIROLI, Pierangelo CONFALONIERI
  • Publication number: 20150349716
    Abstract: Differential output stage (200) of an amplification device, for driving a load, comprises a first (201) and a second (202) differential output stage portion. The first differential output stage portion (201) comprises: a first (M1PSW) and a second (M1NSW) output circuit; a first driving circuit (210) comprising a first biasing circuit (M2P, M3N, M4N, R11, I11); a second driving circuit (220) comprising a second biasing circuit (I41, R41, M4P, M3P, M2N).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: ST- Ericsson SA
    Inventors: Pierangelo CONFALONIERI, Federico GUANZIROLI, Germano NICOLLINI
  • Publication number: 20150263755
    Abstract: A new approach is disclosed concerning offset cancellation methods in analog to digital converters and analog to digital converters implementing the same. Such approach allows to efficiently cancel offset drifts in analog to digital converters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: ST-ERICSSON SA
    Inventors: Pierangelo Confalonieri, Federico Guanziroli, Alberto Minuti
  • Patent number: 9054646
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic integrated amplifier for driving an acoustic transducer. The amplifier comprises two differential input terminals to receive an input signal and a first and a second output terminal to provide an output signal to the transducer. In addition, the amplifier comprises an operational amplifier having an input end including differential inputs and an output end operatively associated with the first and second output terminals. A pair of input resistors connect the two differential input terminals to two intermediate terminals, respectively. A pair of feedback resistors connect the first and second output terminals to the two intermediate terminals, respectively. The integrated amplifier also comprises means for high-pass filtering the input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: ST-ERICSSON SA
    Inventors: Germano Nicollini, Federico Guanziroli, Massimo Orio, Carlo Pinna
  • Patent number: 8692612
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electronic regulation device of a variable capacitance of an integrated circuit having a time parameter depending on the variable capacitance. The regulation device includes a regulation loop, and is configured to generate in output a plurality of binary regulation signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Pierangelo Confalonieri, Federico Guanziroli, Germano Nicollini
  • Publication number: 20130208922
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic integrated amplifier for driving an acoustic transducer. The amplifier comprises two differential input terminals to receive an input signal and a first and a second output terminal to provide an output signal to the transducer. In addition, the amplifier comprises an operational amplifier having an input end including differential inputs and an output end operatively associated with the first and second output terminals. A pair of input resistors connect the two differential input terminals to two intermediate terminals, respectively. A pair of feedback resistors connect the first and second output terminals to the two intermediate terminals, respectively. The integrated amplifier also comprises means for high-pass filtering the input signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: ST-ERICSSON SA
    Inventors: Germano Nicollini, Federico Guanziroli, Massimo Orio, Carlo Pinna
  • Publication number: 20130170659
    Abstract: An integrated circuit for processing audio and voice signals in a telephone is disclosed. The integrated circuit comprises an audio output port having a first and a second output terminal for connection to a first and a second input terminal, respectively, of a speaker. The integrated circuit further comprises an audio input port having a first and a second input terminal for connection to a first and a second output terminal of an audio input source. The integrated circuit also comprises at least one audio output path and one audio input path. Moreover, the integrated circuit comprises a test impedance, such as a resistor, (RT) for measuring an electrical impedance of the speaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: ST-ERICSSON SA
    Inventors: Federico Guanziroli, Sergio Pernici, Robert Nilsson, Jan R.E. Thimansson
  • Patent number: 8427196
    Abstract: A system includes analog supply circuitry providing first and second analog potentials. A switch module assumes first or second states to enable and inhibit transfer of an analog electrical signal from a source module to a user module based upon a driving electrical signal. A driving device drives, based upon the driving electrical signal, a control terminal of the switch module, allowing the switch module to assume the first or second state. The driving device allows the switch module to make a first driving transition from the first state to the second state, and a second driving transition from the second state to the first state. The driving device alternately connects the control terminal to a first reference potential, during the first state, and to a second reference potential, during the second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.R.L.
    Inventors: Pierangelo Confalonieri, Federico Guanziroli, Marco Zamprogno